Vinyl pressings
by Teresa Berganza · 1961
Arias Of The 18th Century was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 2 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
ZAL-4941-2L C OT ET 1Runout side 1 - stamped
ZAL-4942-2L U OT 1Runout side 2 - stamped
ZAL.4941Matrix on label - side 1
ZAL.4942Matrix on label - side 2
ARL 4941 1ARunout side 1 - stamped
ARL 4942 1ARunout side 2 - stamped
ARL 4941 1ARunout side 1 - stamped
ARL 4942 1ARunout side 2 - stamped
ARL 4941 1ARunout side 1 - stamped
ARL 4942 1ARunout side 2 - stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | France | Decca LXT 5611First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | France | Decca LXT 5611First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | France | Decca SXL 2251First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | UK | Decca SXL 2251 / Decca SXL.2251First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | UK | Decca LXT 5611 / Decca LXT.5611First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | France | Decca LXT 5611LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 193LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds ADD 193LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Spain | Decca SDD 1233LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | London Records SLC-2426LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca BLK 21022LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1233LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca S 4941LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | Decca SXL 21 022-BLP | LP |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca NUX 309 049LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records OS 25225LP | LP |
| ? | US | London Records OS 25225LP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
17 vinyl pressings of Arias Of The 18th Century are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1961 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in UK, France. One of them is Decca SXL 2251, released January 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2251, LXT 5611) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4941-2L C OT ET 1 and ZAL-4942-2L U OT 1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
